Losing Isaiah (1995)

The biological and adoptive mothers of a young boy are involved in a bitter, controversial custody battle.

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers:

Seth Margolis (novel), Naomi Foner (screenplay)

Stars:

Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, David Strathairn

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Lange	...	Margaret Lewin
Halle Berry	...	Khaila Richards
David Strathairn	...	Charles Lewin
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Eddie Hughes
Daisy Eagan	...	Hannah Lewin
Marc John Jefferies	...	Isaiah
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Kadar Lewis
Joie Lee	...	Marie
Regina Taylor	...	Gussie
LaTanya Richardson Jackson	...	Caroline Jones (as LaTanya Richardson)
Jacqueline Brookes	...	Judge Silbowitz
Donovon Ian H. McKnight	...	Amir
Rikkia A. Smith	...	Josie
Paulette McDaniels	...	Ethel
Velma Austin	...	Rehab Leader

Storyline

An African-American baby, abandoned by his crack addicted mother is adopted by a white social worker and her husband. Several years later, the baby's mother finds out her son is not dead, as she thought before and goes to court to get him back.

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Plot Keywords:

marital infidelity | biological mother | bare chested male | learning to read | mother daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

Who decides what makes a mother?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for drug related material and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Lange said in an interview "I let myself get talked into 'Losing Isaiah' because I hadn't worked for awhile. I knew it wasn't right, the script wasn't right, there was no ending. It just didn't feel right, and it never got right. It was a really difficult, and painful experience."

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Goofs

When Halle leans over to get the child out of the sandbox, her microphone pack can be seen at the small of her back under her shirt.

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Quotes

Khaila Richards: What is it you don't want him to know, huh? That his mother is as black as he is?
Margaret Lewin: [sneering] "Black!" All you people think about is color!
Khaila Richards: You people? You *people*? Well, you better look around, cause me and Isaiah, we the same kind of people. Or didn't you notice?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Outbreak/Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh/Bye Bye Love/Losing Isaiah/Farinelli (1995)

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Soundtracks

WLS Jingle
Courtesy of Jam Creative Productions

User Reviews

Very thoughtful and fair

I hesitated in seeing this movie for a long time because I knew that, whatever the outcome, I would be unsatisfied. However, I am willing to admit that I was wrong and the movie is a fairly accurate account of unconditional love and by the end, I was in tears. Fine acting all around.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Losing Isaiah

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,520,972, 19 March 1995

Gross USA:

$7,603,766

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,603,766

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1